Fundraiser for Cops 4 Kids & Communities!
CALLING ALL FIGHT FANS: It’s “Code Red” time to help a worthwhile children’s charity!
It’s time for the annual “SoCal Battle of the Badges” THIS Saturday, October 1 at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif. This is one of my favorite charity events combining amateur boxing, live entertainment, special celebrity guests, beautiful ring card girls and more–all benefiting the nonprofit Cops 4 Kids & Communities (C4KC).
This installment will feature 15 bouts between members of law enforcement, fire department and U.S. military. Both male and female matchups are scheduled as the warriors go toe to toe for 2011 braggin’ rights.
There will be some professional prizefighters also in attendance along with several members from the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
“Israel Vazquez, Mikey Garcia and Armando Muniz will be coming,” C4KC’s Jeff Penn shared when I called to touch base with the former officer and show organizer. “We’ve received confirmation from them and Danny “Little Red” Lopez has also been invited.”
One invited guest in particular, featherweight champ Mikey Garcia, has a very strong bond with the boys in blue. As Jeff and I chat, I mention to him that Garcia has ties with law enforcement. “Yes, he does!” Penn replies. “I believe he’s a reserve Deputy Sheriff with Ventura County.”
The 26-0 unbeaten boxer (who will be fighting October 22 in New York) is indeed a graduate of the Ventura County Police Academy.
These pro champions will all be cheering for the brave combatants lacing up this Saturday, all in the name of charity. The C4KC organization (which also has their own Youth Boxing Club) was founded by members of law enforcement. “Let’s Reach Them Before We Have To Rescue Them” is what the strive for. They mentor children and teens through educational, sports, arts programs, and more.
Saturday’s fight night will feature 15 bouts including the main event between Jamaal “The Silent Knight” Brathwaite and Juan “Bad Blood” Bustamonte. While many of these sluggers will be stepping into the ring for the very first time, all have been training hard for their time inside the ropes.
C4KC’s Executive Director Penn has noticed a difference as the battles have grown in popularity through the years with the fistic rivalry between the officers expanding as well. “I’ve noticed that the officers are staying in shape year round to fight,” he tells me. “So that’s great for the agencies. And even though they’re fighting each other, one of the best aspects about these shows is the camaraderie we’ve seen between everyone.”
Fans come out in droves to watch the cops and firefighters go at it on the canvas. The Pechanga Grand Ballroom will host about 2,000 fans in this venue and the charity night is right on track to be another sell out. Walk-up tickets are available for purchase at the Pechanga Box Office, first come first served.
Executive Director Jeff Penn, Chairman and Board of Director Richard Perry, the C4KC board, their sponsors and all of their volunteers are ready for the big showdown this weekend. The weigh-in will take place tonight with the boxers all coming face to face before their Saturday night wars.
And one integral team member is ready with her famous treat for the fighters and staff. Rebekah Ford, from the Riverside’s District Attorneys Office, has become known as “The Cookie Lady.” The dedicated PR lady has spent countless hours baking her treats for the hard-swinging men and women volunteering their time–and sacrificing their pride and egos for the children.
While the fiery fisticuffs will explode in the ring, the evening will also honor fallen heroes in the community.
“We’re honoring Riverside officer Ryan Bonaminio and all of the fallen officers in California,” Penn explains. “This will be a special tribute to them through this event. And sadly, we just lost Officer Jeff Pinney from a heart attack. He was only 44 years old.”
Officer Pinney passed away on September 10; slain officer Bonaminio was killed by a state prison parolee following a high-speed police chase. The “Battle of the Badges” tribute will mark the one-year anniversary of his tragic death at age 27. “All of us are honored to be able to pay tribute to them,” Jeff adds. “It will be a great night and I’m in awe every year how much support we receive.”
Check out some of my snapshots from past “Battle of the Badges” events!
And if you’d like to support Cops 4 Kids & Communities, join the policemen, firemen, corrections officers, U.S. rangers and others as they take off their shield and trade leather in this annual charity fight night at Pechanga.
See you at the fights!
C4KC’s SoCal “Battle of the Badges”
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Pechanga Resort and Casino
Doors Open: 4:00 PM/ First Bout: 5:00 PM
Ringside $40/ General Admission $30
For Tickets: www.pechanga.com/ 1-877-711-2946
For Info: www.c4kc.org
www.socalbattleofthebadges.com
Photos by Michele Chong